Prevalence of otomycosis in Khouzestan Province, south-west Iran.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of otomycosis and aetiological agents in Khouzestan province, south-west Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined and cultured 881 swabs from suspected external otitis cases, collected from throughout Khouzestan province. Fungal agents were identified by slide culture and complementary tests when necessary. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 37 years. The 20-39 year age group had the highest prevalence of otomycosis: 293 cases, comprising 162 (55.3 per cent) women and 131 (44.7 per cent) men. The seasonal distribution of cases was: summer, 44.7 per cent; autumn, 28.7 per cent; winter, 14.7 per cent; and spring, 11.9 per cent. The fungal agents isolated were Aspergillus niger (67.2 per cent), Aspergillus flavus (13 per cent), Candida albicans (11.6 per cent), Aspergillus fumigatus (6.2 per cent) and penicillium species (2 per cent). CONCLUSION: Fungal otomycosis is still one of the most important external ear diseases. In this study in south-west Iran, Aspergillus niger was the predominant aetiological agent. However, clinicians should be cautious of candidal otomycosis, which has a lower rate of incidence but is more prevalent among 20-39 year olds.

Immunologic factors in patients with chronic polypoid sinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Nasal polyposis is the benign protrusion of soft tissue into the nasal cavity, with multifactorial origin. This study is designed to examine the suggested role of IgE and CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of nasalpolyposis. METHODOLOGY: Blood samples were taken from 32 patients with chronic polypoid sinusitis and 32 controls. CD4 and CD8 total lymphocyte count were determined by flow cytometry and the level of serum IgE was measured by ELISA. Nasal discharge samples were also collected for determining IgE level in both patients and controls during surgery. RESULTS: In 68.8% of patients a history of allergy was present. The level of nasal discharge IgE was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients compared to controls, but the difference between serum IgE levels was not significant (p > 0.05). CD8 concentration and blood lymphocytes were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the patients group, while CD4 concentration was significantly lower (p < .OO01) in them. Finally, CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly lower(p < 0. 001) in the patients group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a change in the amount of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and an increased level of local IgE contribute to nasal polyposis, but the results should be confirmed in more extensive studies including cytokine analyses. Such increasing insights in the pathophysiology of nasal polyposis open perspectives for new pharmacological treatment options, with immunologic factors as potential targets.

Immunologic factors in patients with chronic polypoid sinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Nasal polyposis is the benign protrusion of soft tissue into the nasal cavity, with multifactorial origin. This study is designed to examine the suggested role of IgE and CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis. METHOD: Blood samples were taken from 32 patients with chronic polypoid sinusitis and 32 controls. CD4 and CD8 total lymphocyte count were determined by flow cytometry and the level of serum IgE was measured by ELISA. Nasal discharge samples were also collected for determining IgElevel in both patients and controls during surgery. RESULTS: In 68.8% of patients a history of allergy was present. The level of nasal discharge IgE was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients compared to controls, but the difference between serum IgE levels was not significant (p > 0.05). CD8 concentration and blood lymphocytes were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the patients group, while CD4 concentration was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in them. Finally, CD/CD8 ratio was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the patients group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a change in the amount of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and an increased level of local IgE contribute to nasal polyposis, but the results should be confirmed in more extensive studies including cytokine analyses. Such increasing insights in the pathophysiology of nasal polyposis open perspectives for new pharmacological treatment options, with immunologic factors as potential targets.

Immunologic Factors in Patients with Chronic Polypoid Sinusitis

Background: Nasal polyposis is the benign protrusion of soft tissue into the nasal cavity; with multifactorial origin. This study is designed to examine the suggested role of IgE and CD and CD lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of 4 8 nasal polyposis. Method: Blood samples were taken from 32 patients with chronic polypoid sinusitis and 32 controls. CD and CD 4 8 total lymphocyte count were determined by flow cytometry and the level of serum IgE was measured by ELISA. Nasal discharge samples were also collected for determining IgE level in both patients and controls during surgery. Results: In 68.8of patients a history of allergy was present. The level of nasal discharge IgE was significantly higher (p0.001) in patients compared to controls; but the difference between serum IgE levels was not significant (p 0.05). CD concentration and blood lymphocytes were 8 significantly higher (p0.001) in the patients group; while CD concentration was significantly lower (p0.001) in 4 them. Finally; CD /CD ratio was significantly lower 4 8 (p0.001) in the patients group. Conclusion: This study suggests that a change in the amount of CD and CD lymphocytes and an increased 4 8 level of local IgE contribute to nasal polyposis; but the results should be confirmed in more extensive studies including cytokine analyses. Such increasing insights in the patho physiology of nasal polyposis open perspectives for new pharmacological treatment options; with immunologic factors as potential targets.of patients a history of allergy was present. The level of nasal discharge IgE was significantly higher (p0.001) in patients compared to controls; but the difference between serum IgE levels was not significant (p 0.05). CD concentration and blood lymphocytes were 8 significantly higher (p0.001) in the patients group; while CD concentration was significantly lower (p0.001) in 4 them. Finally; CD /CD ratio was significantly lower 4 8 (p0.001) in the patients group. Conclusion: This study suggests that a change in the amount of CD and CD lymphocytes and an increased 4 8 level of local IgE contribute to nasal polyposis; but the results should be confirmed in more extensive studies including cytokine analyses. Such increasing insights in the patho physiology of nasal polyposis open perspectives for new pharmacological treatment options; with immunologic factors as potential targets